The Platform News, in partnership with several government agencies, launched Project Stigma on July 8, a new public-private initiative aimed at dismantling the shame and silence that surround mental health in the Philippines.
The program comes at a critical time, as mental health conditions affect an estimated 7 million to 12.5 million Filipinos, with cases of anxiety and depression rising by about 2% annually, according to national data. Among the most vulnerable are youth aged 15 to 19 and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), many of whom experience depression around their sixth month abroad.
Just weeks later, on August 12, Senator Win Gatchalian rolled out the “Tara, Usap! G?” caravan, a nationwide mental health campaign for students. Anchored on the newly signed Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act (RA 12080), the caravan underscored how back-to-back efforts are reshaping the country’s response, normalizing conversations, expanding access to care, and building support systems in both schools and communities.
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The Barriers Filipinos Face
Mental health challenges in the Philippines persist not only because of rising cases, but also due to structural barriers. According to a 2021 World Health Organization (WHO) investment case report, the country had only 548 psychiatrists nationwide, or about 0.5 per 100,000 people—a fraction of the WHO benchmark of 10 per 100,000.
Moreover, a workforce analysis from 2004–2005 revealed that 58% of psychiatrists were concentrated in Metro Manila, exposing a long-standing rural-urban gap that continues today. Meanwhile, costs remain prohibitive: psychiatrist consultations range from ₱500 to ₱5,175 per session, with therapy sessions typically priced between ₱1,000 and ₱4,500 per hour. Initial evaluations can reach ₱8,500, far beyond the reach of most minimum-wage families.
Cultural stigma adds another barrier. As noted by the Philippine News Agency’s Gilberto Lauengco, many Filipinos still dismiss anxiety or depression as signs of weakness. Furthermore, a 2019 review of help-seeking behavior in the Philippines found that low health literacy, stigma, and financial burdens persist even after the passage of the Mental Health Act (RA 11036), which was designed to expand barangay-level services.
For perspective, the 2020 WHO Mental Health Atlas shows that high-income countries average 9 psychiatrists per 100,000 people, while low- and middle-income countries average only 0.5 to 2 per 100,000. This global comparison highlights just how underserved the Philippines remains.
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Project Stigma: A Call for Cultural Change
Project Stigma seeks to push awareness and early detection through a distinctly Filipino lens. At its July 8 launch at the UP Diliman Oblation Lounge, University of the Philippines President Angelo A. Jimenez described it as “the Filipino approach to Filipino reality” and “the beginning of a conversation that mental health can no longer sideline.” He stressed that mental health remains one of the country’s “most misunderstood, feared, and stigmatized” issues and urged Filipinos to “choose empathy in a world that chooses indifference.”
While specific activities are still unfolding, advocates expect Project Stigma to work closely with local governments, universities, and media to expand awareness and reduce stigma, in line with the goals of the Mental Health Act (RA 11036).
Students at the Center: “Tara, Usap! G?”
Meanwhile, the focus on students came with the August 12 launch of “Tara, Usap! G?”, led by Senator Gatchalian. This caravan supports RA 12080, which mandates that every public school establish Care Centers and implement a School-Based Mental Health Program with clear referral systems.
Unlike traditional lectures, the caravan uses forum theatre, with groups like the Philippine Educational Theatre Association (PETA), Balik Kalipay Center for Psychosocial Response, and the Youth for Mental Health Coalition staging dramatizations of bullying, stress, or anxiety. Students are invited to step in, participate, and practice empathy.
“We now have a law to promote mental health. But we can only achieve our goal of helping students if we all work together,” Gatchalian said.
Taken together, Project Stigma and “Tara, Usap! G?” represent complementary strategies—one advocating at the national and cultural level, the other institutionalizing support in schools.
ONE OF THE FIRST STEPS TO BETTER MENTAL HEALTH IS WRITING YOUR THOUGHTS OUT.
Numbers Speak for Themselves
Evidence points to urgent need. Based on the 2019 Philippine Global School-Based Health Survey (GSHS) involving over 10,000 high school students, nearly 28% reported psychological distress, defined by loneliness, anxiety, suicidal ideation, or attempts. Distress levels had almost doubled since 2015. The same survey showed that 23.1% of students aged 13–17 seriously considered suicide, underscoring the crisis.
Furthermore, a peer-reviewed article titled “Bridging the silent crisis: Strengthening mental health support for university students in the Philippines”, published in the Asian Journal of Psychiatry in July 2025, warned of a widening gap in psychosocial resources in higher education. On the global front, a UN-commissioned study reported by The Guardian found youth well-being has sharply declined across six English-speaking countries, especially among young women, reversing the traditional pattern of youth being the happiest life stage. The decline was linked to social media use, cyberbullying, and reduced offline activities.
Gaps in School Mental Health Support
The urgency in education is clear. According to Senate data from April 2025, out of 45,326 public schools, 10,412 had no guidance counselors or designates during School Year 2024–2025. This leaves millions of students without any formal on-site support.
To address this, RA 12080 mandates new plantilla positions—including Schools Division Counselors, School Counselors, and School Counselor Associates, which can be filled by Registered Guidance Counselors or Psychologists, widening the pool of eligible professionals. The law also requires Care Centers in every public school and Mental Health and Well-Being Offices at the division level.
In addition, a Philstar report (2024) confirmed that guidance counselor salaries were upgraded “from SG 11–13 to SG 16–24” to make the profession more attractive. Nevertheless, the Department of Education still had over 4,460 unfilled counselor positions as of early 2024, suggesting that it could take years to close the gap unless hiring is accelerated.
The Road Ahead
These campaigns are promising, but experts caution that sustainability and accountability are crucial. Funding, professional training, and active local government participation remain essential.
Civil society groups such as the Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA) and youth coalitions continue to push for stronger integration of mental health into schools, barangays, and workplaces.
The Philippines stands at a crossroads. With Project Stigma raising cultural awareness and “Tara, Usap! G?” embedding services in schools, the message is gradually taking root: seeking help is not weakness but an important step toward healing.
However, challenges remain—too few professionals, prohibitive costs, and ingrained stigma. The real test lies in sustaining momentum beyond launch events and ensuring that every Filipino, from urban centers to remote provinces, has access to meaningful, reliable support.
DISCLAIMER
This article provides general information and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized recommendations. If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.
